A Memorial Day letter to Radio Shack from a Marine Corps veteran.

Posted Mon May 28, 2007 12:00 pm, by Allison P. written to Radio Shack

The following is a copy of an email I sent to various offices at Radio Shack, including Customer, media and investor relations. I got a very bland form letter in return. The email was entitled, "A Memorial Day letter to Radio Shack from a Marine Corps veteran."

First, if nothing is done about this letter, it will not surprise me. Secondly, as a 6th generation Texan, I will be extremely disappointed that a company founded in Texas would willingly allow such conduct to go unanswered disappointed but not surprised by the current conduct of corporate America. I just thought Texas was better than that, especially after Enron.
I would like to bring to your attention the deplorable set of circumstances forced on me today by your employees and a store manager.
I attempted to return a defective piece of merchandise which is still under warranty. I had supporting documentation, the merchandise, and the receipt.
Instead of trying to work with me, the manager, a (very) young person named *****, was rude to the point of personal insult. He made no attempt to work with me, but peremptorily interrupted the salesman whom I had approached and told me, "We don't do cash returns." I indicated that the merchandise was still under warranty by Radio Shack and it was defective. ***** once again said, "I can give you another one, but I will not refund your money." I told him that I did not want another unit, and asked if he could work with me , especially because I am a Marine Corps veteran (eight years) and this is Memorial Day weekend. ***** then stepped back and said, "Why should I?"

To say that this made me mad is an understatement. If my son acted like this to another person, he would be disciplined. If one of my employees acted in this fashion, they would be fired.

I then asked for the name of the district manager and was informed that this person is ***** I sincerely hope that he is notified of this deplorable situation. I also attempted to contact customer care via the phone and found out that Radio Shack evidently does not believe in supporting customers unless it is during their designated business hours.
The store in question is a standalone store, number 01-6742, located at 4909 E. 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250

It should go without saying that at this time I will never make any purchases from Radio Shack, and I will never do business with them on any level, nor will I voice anything other than extremely negative perceptions about your organization.

A. R. xxxxxxx
(xxx) xxx-xxxx (last name and phone number removed by request of Planet Feedback)
"Some people spend and entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan

1. Give me a refund of the purchase price for the defective merchandise.
2. Instruct the store manager on the rudiments of customer service. How you do this is up to you. Since he is a white male, firing him will expose you to no real legal risk.
3. Issue a sincere apology for the disrespectful conduct shown to me and (based on my experience) so many other patrons of this store in Indianapolis. A full page advertisement in the Indianapolis Star running for an entire week (Monday through Sunday, inclusive) business section would be nice. (Of course, that would mean admitting that your employee was wrong, and having to actually spend money - so I think this request verges on fantasy.)

That's all - if anything happens I will be pleasantly surprised, since by the conduct of your employees, you evidently place no value on those who served our country other than how you can squeeze as much money out of them as possible.

First, thank you what you have done for our country. I have a lot ofrespect for our folks in the military. Unfortunately, many otherpeople in the U.S. do not have the same feelings as I, especiallyGeneration Y.

Your letter was well-written and I don't think your request wasunreasonable at all. I hope something good comes from your letter andwish you luck.

Your letter and complaint don't mean a hill of beans just because youare an ex-marine and it was Memorial Day. Who the hell do you thinkyou are? Really! No disrepect intended, but don't hide behind yourformer career, we can all do that and none of us are special becauseof it. I think you were going for the sympathy angle on this one andlook, it didn't get you anywhere.

Your complaint though is very valid. But your requests, or some ofthem are a little atrocious. A full page apology ad? What are yousmoking lady? Once your ego dies down a lot, you might want to trywriting your letter again but from a more sincere angle. We allreceive exactly what we put out there, so your proof is in yourresponse. Try it again. You are not special. Again, none of us are.

Thanks for your service, but what does it have to do with Radioshack?!

Just because you were in the Marine Corps, does not mean you gettreated better than other people. Someone using there service asexcuse just pisses me off. You don't get special treatment. Quitacting like you do!

Lastly, (and I'll probably make some people mad here) Texas is thestate that gave us the village idiot that is currently president. So,I don't expect much out of Texas.

"
I would like to bring to your attention the deplorable set ofcircumstances forced on me today by your employees and a storemanager.
I attempted to return a defective piece of merchandise which is stillunder warranty. I had supporting documentation, the merchandise, andthe receipt.
Instead of trying to work with me, the manager, a (very) young personnamed *****, was rude to the point of personal insult. He made noattempt to work with me, but peremptorily interrupted the salesmanwhom I had approached and told me, "We don't do cash returns." Iindicated that the merchandise was still under warranty by Radio Shackand it was defective. ***** once again said, "I can give you anotherone, but I will not refund your money." I told him that I did not wantanother unit, and asked if he could work with me. ***** then steppedback and said, "Why should I?" To say that this made me mad is anunderstatement.
I then asked for the name of the district manager and was informedthat this person is ***** I sincerely hope that he is notified ofthis deplorable situation. I also attempted to contact customer carevia the phone and found out that Radio Shack evidently does notbelieve in supporting customers unless it is during their designatedbusiness hours.
The store in question is a standalone store, number 01-6742, locatedat 4909 E. 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250.
Please give me a refund of the purchase price for the defectivemerchandise.

Thank You,
A. R. xxxxxxx
Sgt., USMC (1980-1988)"

Much better, don't you think? Clear, concise, to the point, noexcessive demands, no status/race card, and chock full of factualgoodness!

My last comments on this matter.
1. Yes, I was angry when I wrote the letter. Next time I will waitabout a week and calm down before I write - and I will write again.
2. I was not, do not and never will try and get special and/orpreferential treatment because of my veteran status. Anyone whoassumed as much is very wrong and does not know me.
3. My complaint is about the insulting and demeaning way in which Iwas treated by someone who obviously does not know better - and if hisemployer (in this case radio shack) does not fix this, then they haveproblems.
4. Just because a company posts a policy does not mean that there isnot room for improvement. I will respectfully discuss this point withanyone who will listen without preconception. and by the way, if theproduct I bought is defective, and the replacement is defective, whyshould I be saddled with another one? Why would I want store creditat a place that does not care for their customers? (BTW - I haveworked retail and a return desk before - I know the story, and I knowwhat can be done for the customer)
5. By the end of the letter, I was (obviously) in MAJOR sarcasm mode. A full page ad?? What, it has to come from Letterman or ConanO'Brien to be funny?? Lighten up, folks.
6. For those out there with ties to the military, I never intended toput a bad light on those who served, and if it came across that way,then I apologize.
7. Copy the above for Texans - and the Enron comment was over thetop.
8. For me, a computer generated form letter will not suffice as anapology nor rectify the situation, so in reply to at least one person,no the letter(s) I received are not enough.
Lastly - how would you react if you were treated like dirt by adisgustingly arrogant person who is supposed to be serving you andrepresenting a well known company? Would you just take it with nocomment or reaction? You may not like my reaction, but I promise you,it honest and true.

Your status as a military veteran does not entitle you to freebies andbenefits at every store for the rest of your life. The only benefitsyou are entitled to are from the US Government. How dare you play themiliatry veteran card?

Let me begin by saying thank you for serving our country. I have adeep and abiding respect for our soldiers and veterans who defend ourrights and freedoms.

However, even that status does not entitle you to circumvent the"rules", so to speak. Corporate policy is in place for a reason.
Also, the demands are a bit excessive. The refund maybe I can see,via gift card if they don't do cash returns, or perhaps store credit. The threat on the manager's job and the whole "firing him will exposeyou to no real legal risk" statement was uncalled for. Race cards ofany type are big no-nos. I can see a sincere apology, but a full-pagead for a week? I can tell you right now, not going to happen. Whywasn't the letter they sent you enough?

I feel so ashamed reading this. Ashamed because of all the people Iknow - marines, navy, army, air force - none have ever tried gettingpreferential treatment simply because they served their country. And Iwould be ashamed to know anyone who ever did try to pull this kind ofstunt. I don't know why some people feel they need to throw it in theface of others that they did serve.

My father was a Tech Sgt. in the USAF. He retired with full honors,and he was buried almost 20 years to the day with full honors at anational cemetary. Never in all the time that he was alive and that myfamily can ever recall, did he ever pull the kind of stunt you did.I'm sure he'd have some choice words for you if he were still alivetoday.

I sincerely hope that you get resolution, but I hope for your sake,you never ever ever pull this kind of stunt again. While someretailers might give discounts (Best Buy comes to mind as they didthis over the holiday weekend), they don't have to, and can evenrefuse service to enlisted customers if they so desire. So keep thatin mind the next time you want to try and get special treatment foryour service.

"2. Instruct the store manager on the rudiments of customer service.How you do this is up to you. Since he is a white male, firing himwill expose you to no real legal risk."

This is absolutely absurd. The race of the manager has nothing to dowith this letter. I am appalled by this actually. It doesn't matter ifhe was black, white, blue, purple or green. Your comment was totallyout of line, and you lost a LOT of credibility, not only with us, butif RS were to read your letter, with them too.

Also, you wanted apology...it will not happen. I agree you should beapologized to for the way the manager acted, but a weekly "ad" isoutlandish.

I expected a 5th grader to act this way, not someone who (I amassuming, given that its been almost 20 years since you have been inservice, and had to have been at least 18 when you joined the Marines)it near 50 years old. You're an adult, please act like one.

Wow - I had no idea that there were so many people out here who are soself righteous as to turn the afterburners on and flame me for myopinion.

First - I was not implying that I should get special treatment becauseof my veteran status. My comment to the young man in question wasmade in an offhand manner, in an attempt to lighten the very dark moodthat he brought into play. I was trying to get normal customerservices as a PAYING customer.
What I received was a measure of rudeness normally encountered on TVtalk shows hosted by former mayors of Ohio cities.

Secondly - As a Marine veteran, I understand service - and I wanted tomake that point. The employees of this store (and Radio Shack byinference) do not understand service - just taking your money. I standby my comment that if my son acted in the same manner as that storemanager, he would be disciplined. If an employee of mine acted in thesame way, there would be serious repercussions including possibletermination for cause.

Lastly - (although honesty in an anonymous forum is a stretch) howmany of these respondents are associated (employee/formeremployee/spouse/partner/significant other/friend) with Radioshack????

As a 7th generation Texan (at least; that's where we lose track ofthe ancestors) and a diplobrat, you disappoint me, Allison.

I grew up knowing Marines to be the young people who were prepared todo what it took to protect me and my family if something went wrong. (I recognize that there is a lot more to the job than that.) I neverdoubted for a minute that they would do that, and I'm well aware thatthat responsibility weighed heavily on at least some of them, becauseI've been sat down for serious talks about what to do in case theembassy was attacked -- and what to do was pretty much to get out ofthe line of fire and let the Marines slow any attackers down longenough for the people behind the steel door to destroy sensitivedocuments.

I admired those people throughout my youth, and I admired them evenmore when I was roughly the same age as many of them and asked myselfwhether I was prepared to sign up for a job that exposed me to thatkind of risk on behalf of people I hadn't even met yet.

I know that right now an awful lot of people believe that militarypersonnel are entitled to special treatment in a wide range ofsituations, and I share a few of those beliefs. But I do not believe(and do not expect others to believe) that having been in the Corps 19years ago entitles you to special privileges at Radio Shack. Not onMemorial Day and not even on Veterans Day.

And I'd have liked to think that as a Texan and a retired Marine, youwere better than to try to pull that.

I have a song that's echoing in my head I'd like to share. I do hopeyou somehow find peace in your life. I don't agree with what you say,but I'll defend your right to say it.

I hope someday you realize what being an American really means.

Bono won the Liberty Metal this past weekend, his words speak volumesto me, at least.

ONE

Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you
Now you got someone to blame

You say
One love
One life
When its one need
In the night
Its one love
We get to share it
It leaves you baby
If you dont care for it

Did I disappoint you?
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without

Well its too late
Tonight
To drag tha past out
Into the light
Were one
But were not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other
One

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come tor raise the dead
Havew you come here to play jesus
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now its all I got
Were one
But were not the same
We hurt each other
Then we do it again

You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I cant be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should

One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers

One life
But were not the same
We get to carry each other
Carry each other

As children, Inge and I heard our fathers cry out in the night,sometimes, on those occasions when the phantom pains took over.

Then the family doctor hers and ours would be summoned to ourhouses, each arriving with a black bag and needles filled withpainkiller.

The doctor would inject a dose into my father's stump Inge recallsthose shots into her own father's stump, too and the pain in the toeor the knee that was no longer there would subside for a time.

The doctors would always come, no matter the hour. Out of respect.These two men Inge's father and mine lost their legs in World WarII. The right leg, both of them. Artillery shrapnel, both of them.

And they'd both had hope for a time. My father thought the doctorsmight save it. He was undergoing skin grafts when infection set in.Then they cut it above the knee.

Inge's father had his cut below the knee in the field hospital. Hethought he'd still have that important knee joint, but infection setin. Then they cut it above the knee.

Both men learned to cope when they returned home wearinggovernment-issue wooden legs. They were heavy, those legs. The two menclumped and thumped as they hauled them through life.

Their stumps sometimes developed sores and rashes. And sometimes, inthe night, there were the phantom pains.

Inge was Herbert Eisenmann's oldest daughter. Oldest of three, with abrother and sister to follow. I was Hank Werkman's oldest, also with asister and a brother who came after me.

As children, neither Inge nor I could imagine a man with two legs.

My father's leg was made of wood from a willow tree, and it was heldon by a wide belt around the waist, attached to a metal hinge. So wasHerbert's although, in later years, he was issued a plastic leg thatattached to his short stump by means of suction.

During the years after the war, both men developed a love forswimming, perhaps because it was the one sport their wooden legsdidn't interfere with. I recall my father walking into the ocean oncrutches, his stump dangling down toward the shifting sand as he wadedin deeper and deeper. At some point, when he judged an oncoming waveto be the right one, he'd hand off his crutches to my mother or one ofus kids, then he'd dive headlong through the cresting water.

Floating on his back out there beyond the breakers, looking skyward, Isuppose he could imagine a time when he dribbled a basketball down thecourt, spinning his body, leaping toward the basket, an effortlessdance.

Inge, too, recalls her father walking into the breakers, in his caseon the plastic leg with a cane to steady him. And at just the rightmoment, he'd release the suction and take off the leg, handing it toInge or her mother even as he dove head first into the water. She canonly guess that, as he floated in freedom on the salt water, histhoughts might have wandered to the days when he could ski with gracedown the side of a mountain.

Years later in 1991, when Herbert died of stomach cancer at the age of67, the government requested the return of his prosthetic legs. Theywere government property, after all, issued to a soldier wounded incombat. He was buried with only his own flesh-and-blood leg, and Ingeoften worried that he needed the artificial one, even in death.

My mother has a vague recollection that she, too, was supposed to haveturned in my father's wooden leg when he died of a blown aneurysm in1979 at the age of 59. She never did, though.

He was buried wearing that chunk of wood. I often hoped he didn't needit.

But as young men going off to war teenagers, both of them Inge'sfather and my own most likely never pondered whether or not they'deventually be buried with wooden legs. They proudly put on their newboots and uniforms, they loaded their guns and their knapsacks, andthey prepared for the coming adventure. They each stashed a deck ofcards in among their spare socks to help the time pass in the night.

They carried those cards through their separate wars, into theirhospital wards and on into adulthood. No doubt, they would haveenjoyed a game with one another.

But that was never to be.

They played different card games. My father favored cribbage andpoker, Inge's liked a game called skat.

And they swam in different oceans. My father tossed his crutches to usat the edge of the Atlantic, where we'd go for vacation from our homein the Hudson Valley. Inge's father swam in the Mediterranean, wherehis family would go for holidays from their home in Bavaria.

And of course they spoke different languages. My father knew noGerman.

Inge Grafe-Kieklak is the only one of her family who eventually movedto America. She lives in Jeffersonville now, where she recalls with ahead shake the terrible pain her father suffered after the war.

My own father lost a leg, but he never felt his sacrifice was in vain.His was a just war. And his country won it.

Inge's father lost a leg, and his country lost the war all for aleader he eventually came to understand was morally bankrupt, one whohad started an unjust war with neither the army nor the equipment towin it.

And for that, her father's cries in the night went far deeper than thephantom pains.

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made adifference."

I can answer that for you -- you've made me doubt the respect I USEDto have for Marines. Is that really the difference you want to make inmy life and that of others?

Memorial Day is the day set aside for honoring those who gave theirlives for this country. It's Veteran's Day (it's in November, not May)that recognizes military service. Trust me, no intelligent citizen ofthe U.S.A. will ever want to honor your service as long as youmaintain your attitude of entitlement.

You and your attitude soil the uniform you used to wear.

You're the one who should take out the full-page, week-longadvertisement in the Indianapolis Star, stating your full apology tothe decent and honorable Marines whom you have sullied by yourdisrespect.

If I had been the clerk or the manager when you asked for specialdeals because you are a vet and it was Memorial Day, I would havelaughed myself sick and when I realized you were serious, I would haveasked you to leave my store. How can you look yourself in the eyeafter this?

I love my state, but there has to be something in the water aroundhere.

I've often wondered about the "computer program" that determinesplacement of these letters, how some make it and some don't. Iunderstand about our right to free speech but maybe it's time to"re-program" because this letter (and it's poster) are pathetic.

"First, if nothing is done about this letter, it will not surpriseme."

Nothing's gonna be done about your letter! Surprise!

"Secondly, as a 6th generation Texan, I will be extremely disappointedthat a company founded in Texas would willingly allow such conduct togo unanswered disappointed but not surprised by the current conductof corporate America. I just thought Texas was better than that,especially after Enron."

As a fourth generation North Dakotan, I'm confused by your belief thatyour heritage should provide you with special favors from businessesthat originate in your home-state. Now that may just stem from thefact that there are no successful nationwide North Dakota businesses,but still, what the heck, dude?

"I attempted to return a defective piece of merchandise which is stillunder warranty. I had supporting documentation, the merchandise, andthe receipt."

Uh huh. Interesting. See, I don't know if anyone's ever explained thisto you, but the concepts of "return period" and "warrantee period" aretwo totally different things. If you have a problem with yourmerchandise within the "return period," you take it back to the store.If, however, you have a problem that isn't within the "return period"but is within the "warranty period," then you return it to themanufacturer as described in the product manual. Yes, I know it's allterribly confusing, but it's just the way things are.

"I told him that I did not want another unit, and asked if he couldwork with me , especially because I am a Marine Corps veteran (eightyears) and this is Memorial Day weekend."

Oh, I get it. Memorial Day weekend is a magical weekend where membersof the military get special favors and presents. It's not for theremembrance of fallen comrades or any of that other hippie crap. Howcould I have been so wrong for so very long?

"I also attempted to contact customer care via the phone and found outthat Radio Shack evidently does not believe in supporting customersunless it is during their designated business hours."

Are you trying to tell me that I can't call Radio Shack's customerservice line at three in the morning? Outrageous! My Congressman isgoing to hear about this!

"It should go without saying that at this time I will never make anypurchases from Radio Shack, and I will never do business with them onany level, nor will I voice anything other than extremely negativeperceptions about your organization."

And you're telling me they didn't respond to you with honey andbutterfly kisses after you told them you'd never shop at their storesagain and devote the rest of your life to badmouthing theirorganization? Wow. Go figure.

"'Some people spend and entire lifetime wondering if they made adifference. The Marines don't have that problem.'
President Ronald Reagan"

Hey, swell. You didn't bother explaining what merchandise you weretrying to return or how long after you purchased it you were trying toreturn it, but here's a random quote from a dead President. Thanks forsharing that.

"1. Give me a refund of the purchase price for the defectivemerchandise."

Already got a "no" for this one. Next!

"2. Instruct the store manager on the rudiments of customer service.How you do this is up to you. Since he is a white male, firing himwill expose you to no real legal risk."

Oh, I get it! They won't get sued because he's a white male! Becausethose uppity minorities are always suing over "discrimination" and"unfair hiring practices," unlike the modern day white male, who isunfairly persecuted by the American judicial system! Ha! I bet thatjoke just kills them at the country club, huh?

"3. Issue a sincere apology for the disrespectful conduct shown to meand (based on my experience) so many other patrons of this store inIndianapolis. A full page advertisement in the Indianapolis Starrunning for an entire week (Monday through Sunday, inclusive) businesssection would be nice. (Of course, that would mean admitting that youremployee was wrong, and having to actually spend money - so I thinkthis request verges on fantasy.)"

Now I would argue that this request verges on fantasy because of thefact that it's the stupidest idea I've ever heard of, but if you feelbetter with your "admitting that the employee was wrong" excuse, whoam I to stand in your way?

There is no draft. You chose to join the Marines. You deserve nospecial treatment because of what you chose to do for a living. Thisis disrespectful to the Marines and it is disrespectful to the countryyou claim to love. My husband is a Vietnam vet and trust me, it wouldnever occur to him to think that entitles him to anything. It'scalled being humble. He was proud to serve his country and doesn'tneed to deal in emotional blackmail, which is exactly what you aredoing. You are embarrassing yourself.

I am speechless. The only thing I'm going to say is that two of mygrandfathers went to war as members of the Army and my father was aNavy man. Never in their lives would they expect any sort of specialtreatment because of their service. Military service is about beinghumble and serving one's country. Giving back to the land that hasgiven so much to you. Not using your time served as a bribe.

"you evidently place no value on those who served our country otherthan how you can squeeze as much money out of them as possible."

Nowhere did you prove that they exhibited this behavior - only thatthey would not capitulate to your demands and give you cash back on adefective item.

"Since he is a white male, firing him will expose you to no real legalrisk."

Really? And I suppose you know this because you hold an honorary lawdegree that you received by bullying a university into bestowing it onyou for your military service!

You should be ashamed of yourself for disgracing the Marine Corp withsuch a self-righteous and ignorant attempt to bully this company intodoing things your way.

There are several Marines in my family - My grandfather was an MP inWWII and my uncle was active duty around the same time as you. Myyounger sister is in the Navy on her second tour and presently servingin Iraq. None of them would ever DREAM of using their militaryservice as a means to strong arm an establishment.

What right do you have to circumvent their policy JUST because youwere a Marine?

I will at least give you that you are spot on in believing you have abetter chance of seeing God before Radio Shack will take out a weeklong ad in the Indy Star to apologize to you over this alleged"mistreatment."

While this may be a vaild complaint, your attitude throughout theletter really crowds it out. There's next to no information about theactual item you were trying to exchange.

It's great that you were a Marine, but it doesn't entitle you tobetter treatment than anyone else. My grandfather is a survivor of theHolocaust concentration camps, and he waits in line just like everyoneelse.

Well memorial day is a day to remember those that fought. You howeverthink you are special. I feel sorry for your son being punished byyou for standing up for what is right. Also if your eomployees stoodup for what is right and got fired they can sue you. Then you wouldlose the case and make a letter about how the court system does notsupport a Marine and about how the US does not care about it's warheros.

#1- "also attempted to contact customer care via the phone and foundout that Radio Shack evidently does not believe in supportingcustomers unless it is during their designated business hours. "- Youcalled during the time in which the customer care was open or theactual stores. Customer care centers have certain business hours thatthey are open. If it is one minute past the end time, they won'tanswer. As with any other business.
#2-"asked if he could work with me , especially because I am a MarineCorps veteran (eight years) and this is Memorial Day weekend."- So youwant special treatment? If i go there on my birthday with the samesituation, they should honor my request for special treatment?

As the daughter of a Marine, I am absolutely disgusted with thisletter, and my father (sitting right next to me) wants everyone toknow that a REAL Marine doesn't act this way! Thank you for servingour country, but you've forgotten what being a Marine stands for.

I'm not even going to comment on the "Since he is a white male, firinghim will expose you to no real legal risk" or the "by the conduct ofyour employees, you evidently place no value on those who served ourcountry other than how you can squeeze as much money out of them aspossible" part, because this post would then have to be removed.

This letter disturbs me more than any other letter I've ever read onPlanetfeedback. I have a great deal of pride in our military and totarnish their good name by using them in such a demeaning way isabsolutely deplorable! You should be highly ashamed at the irreverentway you've used the Marine Corp name within this letter Allison!

Your current or previous Marine Corp status has absolutely nothing todo with the issue you are having with the retailer, as such it shouldhave completely been left out of this letter.

Secondly, I'm surprised that someone with your intelligence or lackthereof, seriously considers a warranty equal with the ability toreturn said merchandise for a full refund. A warranty is a guaranteethat the product, or portions thereof, will be serviced under certaincircumstances within that particular time frame. It generally hasabsolutely nothing to do with the retailer.

It is further very blatant that the date of purchase and the time ofreturn were extensively spread, as neither of these dates weredocumented within your letter.

You absolutely need to reconsider what being a member of the Corpreally means and apologize for the most inappropriate way you'vetarnished their good name.

Without supplying some more details, I don't think you are going toget anywhere with this. What was the merchandise? When did youpurchase it? What was wrong with it?

Most retailers will allow a refund of defective items for a finiteamount of time. After that, they will replace it under warranty, ifthat's their policy or refer you to the manufacturer for a warrantyrepair or replacement. It appears that Radio Shack replaces the itemsince that's what they offered to do.

I am, quite frankly, shocked that you would use the fact that you area former marine in a effort to get preferential treatment. The factthat you added Memorial Day to your reasoning is over the top. Memorial Day is a time to remember the sacrifices made by our fallenmilitary not "national bypass the policy for ex military day". I amthe wife of a Vietnam veteran and my husband is active in manyveteran's organizations. He would never use that to try and getspecial treatment when returning an item. You should be ashamed!

BTW..mentioning that there would be no legal risk in firing a whitemale is just wrong in so many ways!